Samantha's Paddock Mélange Traditionnel

Levantine Hill Samantha’s Paddock Mélange Traditionnel is an antipodean sonnet to the Premier Cru vineyards of Bordeaux in France. It is a traditional blend of Cabernet Sauvignon with Merlot, Malbec, Cabernet Franc and Petit Verdot.

The vines fan out over very steep, rocky hillsides. Facing west, they see more exposure to the sun, allowing the late ripening red varieties to fully ripen.

The fruit is destemmed, crushed and tipped to open fermenters. Fermentation begins with natural yeasts, then selected yeasts are added. Once daily, the juice is hand plunged or racked and returned to gently extract colours and tannin.

After up to five weeks on skins, the wine is pressed and settled overnight, then racked to fill premium French oak barrels, both new and seasoned.

Maturation occurs over 18 months before blending. After bottling, the wine develops in the cellar for five years prior to release.

Deep crimson, Levantine Hill Samantha’s Paddock Mélange Traditionnel has brooding yet restrained dark fruits with silky texture winding through savoury tannins. Cellaring potential is 15 years.